Showing posts with label Foods as Medicines. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Foods as Medicines. Show all posts

Monday, August 3, 2015

Mind-blowing food facts!

                                                               Natural Foods 

1 Pineapple is a natural painkiller 
The fruit contains anti-inflammatory enzymes that bring pain relief from conditions such as arthritis, according to a study at Reading University.


2 Pomegranate juice could prevent a heart attack 

                       This wonder juice is believed to improve blood flow to the heart and lower blood pressure. 

3 Onions are natural antibiotics

 
                           They might make your breath bad but onions contain allicin, a powerful antibiotic that also protects the circulatory system.

4 Mushrooms can ward off colds 


                            They contain more of an immune-boosting antioxidant called ergothioneine than any other food, say researchers at Pennsylvania State University.

6 Blueberries can boost memory 

                            A study at Tufts University in Boston showed eating half a cup of this fruit regularly could delay age-related deterioration in co-ordination and short-term memory.

8 Eat chocolate, live longer 

                           Harvard University scientists say that eating a couple of chocolate bars a week could extend your life by almost a year. 

9 Grapefruit juice can stop medicine working 

                      If you're taking medication, avoid washing it down with grapefruit juice as there is evidence that it prevents some drugs being broken down. 

10 Never drink tea or coffee with meals 

                        Tannins in tea and coffee prevent absorption of certain nutrients. A cup of tea with a meal will halve the iron you get from it, whereas a glass of orange juice will double it. 

11 Cherries can cure gout 

                        Cherries contain compounds that significantly reduce the chemicals in the body which cause joint inflammation. 

12 Eating curry could help prevent Alzheimer's Disease

                         According to a report in the Journal of Biological Chemistry, a yellow pigment used in curry, curcumin, can stop amyloid plaques in the brain that cause the condition. 

13 Sniffing a lemon could help you beat asthma 

                         The UK's 5.1 million asthmatics could find lemons ease their symptoms. Studies in rats found that breathing improved after they inhaled limonene, the chemical that gives lemons their smell. 

14 Kiwi fruit can improve your eyesight 

                          This fuzzy fruit is a surprisingly good source of lutein, an antioxidant that protects your vision. 

15 Garlic can cure mouth ulcers and verrucas(
A verruca (plantar wart) is a wart on the sole of the foot. It is the same as a common wart, but the weight of the body presses it into the foot, which can be painful.)
 
                          Here's an old wives' tale that works: halve a clove of garlic, squeeze, and apply a drop of the juice to the offending growth at bedtime. 

16 You can have too little salt 

                          Too much salt isn't good for us but not getting enough can trigger low blood pressure in those susceptible. Consult your GP before making any major diet changes.

17 Figs can delay brittle bone disease 

                           Good news for the three million osteoporosis sufferers in the UK - it is possible to slow its progress by eating calcium-packed figs.

18 Soya can mimic breast cancer drugs 

                          A team of Cambridge researchers discovered that a diet high in soya can have a similar effect to anti-cancer drug Tamoxifen. 

19 Barbecued-food can cause cancer 

                         Eating meat that's chargrilled or burnt could lead to stomach, pancreatic, colon and breast cancer because it creates high levels of carcinogenic compounds. 

20 Cinnamon can help diabetics 

                          Just half a teaspoon a day of this spice can significantly reduce blood sugar levels in diabetics, says US research. 

21 Chillies can help you breath more easily

 
                           Capsaicin, which occurs in chillies, shrinks the mucous membranes which can ease blocked noses and sinuses. 

22 Watermelon is good for the prostate 

                            Men will be glad to know that the red flesh contains the antioxidant Lycopene, which helps keep the prostate gland healthy. 

23 Coriander can lower your cholesterol levels 

                         This aromatic herb can reduce cholesterol levels and prevent heart problems.

24 Nibbling nuts can prevent blood clots 

                           Nuts boost nitric oxide, a compound that relaxes blood vessels and eases blood flow. 

25 Banish bad breath with natural yoghurt 

                           A few spoonfuls of natural yoghurt can neutralise halitosis, according to Japanese researchers.
(Information furnished is as received from an email. Thanks to Google for Images)

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Sunday, July 26, 2015

Benefits of Guava Fruit


Guava is a large berry which is round or oval in shape with light green or light yellow coat. The color of its flesh varies from white or pink to dark green and seeds can be edible. 

Guava can be classified as the super fruit, because of its numerous health promoting qualities. This healthy fruit is well known for their medicinal property that contains natural sugars, vitamins and minerals in it. Guava is extremely rich in vitamin C, Carotene and Antioxidants which beneficial for skin health. Guava juice can also be used as a refreshing drink.

There are various types of Guava, a healthy food which differ in scent, taste and appearance. Generally guava has a strong, sweet and pungent smell and its flavor ranges from strawberry or lemon to tropical.
This Fruit widely available in India throughout the year and local name for Guava is “Peru”. In fact, having low in cost with numerous benefits of Guava made it popular and are quite affordable to everyone. In India, it is available at just on roadside selling by small vendors everywhere.

Why it’s Healthy food: Guava is rich in lycopene, an antioxidant that fights prostate cancer, protects the skin from being damaged by UV rays, environmental pollution as well than any other plant food, including tomatoes and watermelon.

A normal Guava provides about 2.9 grams of lycopene. Pink guavas contain twice the amount of lycopene than that of Tomato’s. One cup of Guava provides 688 milligrams (mg) of potassium, which is 63 percent more than that of a medium Banana. Potassium reverses the effects of sodium, thereby regulates the blood pressure. Also, it reduces cholesterol levels in the blood by preventing it from become thickening.

Guava is also the Fiber rich food containing almost 9 gm of fiber in every cup and helpful for persons with diabetes by slowing down the absorption of sugar in the blood.Guava Fruit

Studies have shown that a Fibre rich diet (5.4 gm per 100 gm of fruit) is associated to a lower risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. Those suffering from constipation problems, can have the benefits from high fibre content.

Winter is the season of having some delicious guavas. Everyone loves to eat this fruit and numerous varieties are available.

Antiageing Properties: 

Guava is rich source in Vitamins A, B, C and potassium which works as good detoxifiers. They fight free radicals, keeping the skin glowing and prevent premature signs of Ageing like wrinkles and fine lines.

Benefits of Guava Fruit

Besides, lycopene in Guava protects the cells being toxinated that accumulate in the body due to metabolism and environmental pollution. These toxins also cause pre mature ageing by damaging the DNA in the process of growth and development of body.

Even guavas are not having iodine; they are still helpful in promoting healthy thyroid function, because it contains copper, which aids the production and absorption of hormones.

Guavas are a good source of manganese, the enzyme which activates nutrients utilization like thiamine, biotin and ascorbic acid.

For optimization of brain functioning, Guavas are rich in the B group of vitamins. Niacin, better known as Vitamin B3, promotes blood circulation, thereby stimulating brain function. Vitamin  B6 that is pyridoxine, helps in brain and nerve function.

The folate in Guavas contains fertility-promoting properties thus eating this fruit, women facing fertility problems can benefit.

Guavas contain an abundance of Vitamin A that helps in Eye care and improve vision with keeping away the Eye diseases
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Sunday, July 12, 2015

16 Further Uses for Tea


There's nothing like a hot cup of tea, especially on a cold day. Not only does tea warm the body and give us inner peace, it also fights cancer, lowers the risk of stroke and helps our cells fight aging. 

However, if you thought that is where the usefulness of this drink ends, you are surely mistaken...


Here are 16 other things that you can do with tea:

Tired and red eyes can be caused by irritation, too much crying or simple tiredness  While ice bags or cucumber slices are a workable solution, tea bag get you the same results but are also warm and pleasant. Put them in hot water, allow them to cool a bit and then place them on the eyelids like a compress.

2. Improving the taste of meat
Meat tastes great when properly cooked, but when not, it can become stale, hard and dry. Here is an effective solution to the problem: Use used tea bags to  restore its flavor. Soaking hard meat in black tea can also soften it again.

3. Cleaning wood surfaces
Tea can be a great and gentle cleaning material for wood floors and surfaces. Wipe the wood surfaces or furniture with a clean cloth soaked in cool tea water, then use a clean and dry towel to prevent stains.

4. Removing fat and dirt
The astringency of the tea will reduce the fatty buildup in pots and pans. Just soak the used tea bag in the container you wish to clean.

5. Cleaning Rugs
Clean moldy and dirty rugs by spreading some used (dry) tea leaves on it. Leave them be for 10 minutes and then vacuum the rug. If these are delicate carpets, you can brush the tea leaves gently away.

Tea can remove those pesky fingerprints from glass, and make it shine. Just rub a moist tea bag on the glass surface, then use a spray bottle filled with tea water and wipe.

7. Cleaning the toilet
Use tea to remove stubborn stains in the bottom of the toilet. Soak several bags of tea for several hours in the toilet water and then remove them gently and brush the sides.

8. Getting rid of fish smell
To get rid of that overpowering smell of fish, wash your hands in tea water.

9. Air freshener
Bags of tea can absorb those bad odors in the pantry, in your shoes or in your car. Put a few tea bags on a tray and put them in the closet, shoe or car. Let  them absorb the odors.

10. Getting rid of bad foot odor
If you suffer from stinky feet, soak them for 20 minutes in a tea bath. Use black tea for extreme case. The stringency in the tea will close the sweat glands that give off the smell and  will kill the bacteria.

11. Removing warts and blisters
Soak a tea bag in water and put it on the blister for 20-30 minutes. Make sure to throw away the bag afterwards.

12. Get your mouth wounds to heal
Get your mouth wounds to heal faster by gently biting a used tea bag. The healing powers of the tea will reduce the pain, shrink the blood vessels and stop the bleeding.

13. Treating burns
If you suffer from  irritated skin from a burn or sun tanning, use used tea bags to bring relief. Wash the areas burnt with a cold tea bag, but if most of the skin needs it, make a bath of tea water

14. Treat acne
Many find that washing your face with a cool brew of green tea is an effective solution for acne.

15. Avoiding fleas
To turn back fleas from your dog or cat, spread some dry and used tea leaves around the place they sleep.

16. Softening and dying your hair
Washing your hair with a cup of tea can make it shiny and soft to the touch. However, if your hair is light colored, it may turn it darker, which is perfect if you want to dye it.
(Information shared as received by way of an email)
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